Politics · Philippines Bureau
Estrada sought help securing P1B leadership fund, witness tells court
A former Department of Public Works and Highways official testified before the Sandiganbayan that Senator Jinggoy Estrada approached him first regarding an alleged P1 billion allocation. The revelation came as state witness Roberto Bernardo took the stand before the anti-graft court's Fifth Division.
LSN Philippines ·
Manila — State witness and former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified on Wednesday that Senator Jinggoy Estrada allegedly initiated contact with him to secure a purported P1 billion "leadership fund" allocation. Bernardo's account was presented before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division during his testimony in an ongoing case.
The former undersecretary's statement marks a significant development in the investigation into the alleged fund, which has drawn scrutiny from anti-corruption authorities. Bernardo's testimony provided a firsthand account of how the matter was purportedly broached with him.
The case continues to unfold before the specialized anti-graft court, which has been examining the circumstances surrounding the disputed allocation. Additional details regarding the nature of the fund and the parties involved are expected to emerge as the legal proceedings advance.
Bernardo's appearance as a state witness underscores the significance of his role in the matter under investigation. The testimony adds to the body of evidence being considered by the court in its examination of the allegations.